Means for spreading disks



Ma rch2,1943.'" ERCQUDEN 2,312,960

MEANS FOR SPREADING DISKS Filed Dec. -15; 1941 Patented Mar. 2, 1943 UN i'lED STATES T QFE'IC-E Claims.

This invention relates to means for separating disks to condition them for cleaning and more particularly to disks of cream separators which generally are centrally apertured and of frusto conical form permitting the disks to nest. This application may be considered afurther development of my Patent No. 2,244,611, dated June 3, 1941.

One of the objects of the present invention is in the provision of disk separating means which when actuated function to separate the nested disks automatically so that skill or previous experience on the part of the operator is unnecessary.

A further object is to provide mechanism for separating disks that is of few parts, inexpensive to manufacture, not likely'to get out of order, that is fool-proof in operation and durable and efficient in use.

A further object is to provide disk spreading means that can be readily used with'all popular makes and sizes of "cream separators using frusto conical disks, serving to spread and hold the disks apart so that the cleaning solution may function properly and tnerea ter permit rinsing and airing or drying of'the-d'isks, the "disks thereafter being readily discharged from the separator by the operator.

While the present invention was devised for use more particularly in connection with the cleaning of cream separator disks it is notto be limited to such use and may be utilized in connection with other disks.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter fully described, pointed out in the claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein- Fig. 1 is "a view in side elevation of a device embodying the'present invention, with a portion of the structure broken away.

Fig. 2 is a sectional longitudinal central View of Fig. 1 with adjustable parts in an altered position and illustrating the application of the device.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view through Fig. l on the line S3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3, taken on the line 3-4 of Fig. l and looking in the opposite direction as denoted by the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of Fig. 1 taken on the line 5-5 thereof and looking upwardly or in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of Fig. 1, and

modified form of the device.

Like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The reference numeral I denotes a cylindrical tube open at both ends, one end being formed with a flange 2 and the opposite end with a notch 3, and with an elongated slot 4 reaching short of the tube ends. Extending transversely of the tube l and spaced from the adjacent end of the slot 4 is 'a pin 5 to which one end of the contractile coil spring 6- is secured that extends longitudinally of the tube, the oonvolutions of said spring extending into the slot 4 for the purpose of spreading the disks. The end of said spring remote from the pin '5 is engaged by a chain 1 provided terminally with a ring 1'. Normally the spring '6 extends lineally somewhat less than one half the length of the slot Q but by means of said chain '1 it may be expanded to occupy the entire length of said slot, the chain extending out the adjacent or non-flanged end of the tube l. The diameter of the spring is such as to permit it to fit snugly inside the tube with freedom of expansion and contraction, one terminal convolution in the expanded position of the spring being adapted to contact the prongs 8 formed upon the lower substantially tubular end 9 of the hook IE! to form a stop for said spring,

said prongs being bent rearwardly into engagement with the tube l at the end of the slot 5.

Similar prongs H of the end 9 are bent in the opposite direction into engagement with the end of the tube, the prongs 8 and H securing said hook I0 fast to the tube I. Sliclably secured to the tube I between the pin 5 and flange 2 is the sleeve 52 retained against removal from the tube at one end by said flange said sleeve being formed with a flute IS in line with the slotted portion of the tube to receive the beveled end M 'of the floating guide rod l5 extending longitudinally of said tube immediately above the slotted portion thereof and received terminally in the upper tubular endi'fi of said hook it. hook is made preferably of resilient material throughout so that its upper end is spaced yieldingly above the tube said hook being formed with a clip I"! with its free open end disposed inwardly or toward the tube 5.

In operation the disks to be spread placed upon the spreader while'tlresarne is in the position shown in Fig. 1, the tube I being introduced into the large central disk perforations, flanged end first, the sleeve l2 being free from the rod l5 and the beveled end 14 being disposed in the small The said ofi-center disk perforations. The sleeve l2, flanged end of tube l and the beveled end of the rod 15 are now all clear of all disks and the disks rest upon said rod and tube and also upon the spring 6. The sleeve [2 is now moved into engagement with the rod 15, the fluted end I3 receiving the beveled end M of said rod and forcing the same toward the tube and holding the disks in the convolutions of the spring 6 positively. The spring is now expanded by pulling the chain 1 outwardly and since the disks are received in the spring convolutions the expansion of the spring spreads the disks apart.

One link of the chain is now disposed in the notch 3 in the tube and the spring is held in expanded position, the chain being now wrapped about the hook H), as shown in Fig. 2, one chain link being then placed in engagement with the clip H, the chain now pressing the end l6 of the hook and the floating rod toward the tube and further tending to hold the disks in position. The spreader with the separated disks may now be immersed in a container having the cleaning fluid and moved about to effect the disk cleansing and thereafter the spreader may be withdrawn' and hung up by the chain or hook to dry and air.

To remove the disks from the spreader the sleeve is manually moved along the tube I out of engagement with the end of the guide rod. The spreader is now partially rotated about its longitudinal axis so that the floating guide rod is beneath the tube. The guide rod will then drop slightly away from the tube and with the flanged end of the tube inclined downwardly somewhat, the discs will readily slide off the spreader. The chain may now be unwrapped from the hook l and withdrawn from the tube-notch 3 and from clip I! to permit the spring to contract, ready for the next operation.

Referring now to Fig. '7 the upper end of the hook lea. is provided with a stud l8 and pin stud l9 both of which extend through the hook and through the rod l and into the tube I wherein both are riveted. the pin stud being formed with a roughened surface forfrictional engagement with the pointed end of the locking screw 20 carried at the end of said guide rod to frictionally lock said rod with relation to said pin stud when desired. The stud l8 serves to yieldingly retain the floating rod E5 in position substantially parallel to the tube. Carried by the tube l upon the opposite side thereof with relation to the 'stud I3 is a stop pin 2| riveted to the tube that serves to prevent the disks from moving therebeyond in a direction toward the handle or hook Mia.

The disks are introduced upon the tube l as previously described, the screw 26 being loosened and the guide-rod disengaged from the sleeve and inserted in an off-center perforation of each disc. The guide rod and sleeve are new again engaged and the screw 28 tightened. The disks may now be washed and thereafter may be removed after again loosening screw Zil, disengaging the sleeve and guide rod and inverting the spreader. The spring after receivingthe disks between convolutions, as previously described, serves as it is fully expanded to space the disks well apart as shown in Fig. 2 in which position they are positively retained by the chain about the hook which presses the rod !5 against the walls of the off-set disk perforations, this position of the parts admitting the cleansing fluid freely between the disks What is claimed is: 1. Mechanism for spreading disks having apertures therein comprising a supporting member to extend through apertures in the disks and along which the disks are movable, said member being notched, a coil spring terminally anchored within said member for receiving the disks between its convolutions, a resilient hook at the notched portion of said member formed with a tubular free end, prongs connecting said hook to said member, a floating guide rod carried by said hook end in yielding spaced relation to and extending longitudinally of said supporting member and through other apertures in the disks, a sleeve slidably arranged upon said supporting member for bindin engagement with and disengagement from said guide rod, and a chain engaging said coil spring and extending beyond said supporting member for expanding said spring and for engagement with the notched portion of said memher.

2. Mechanism for spreading disks having apertures therein comprising a tubular supporting member to extend through apertures in the disks and along which the disks are movable, said member being notched at one end and flanged at the opposite end, a coil spring arranged in said tubular member for receiving the disks between its convolutions, said spring being anchored at the other end, a resilient hook at the notched end of said supporting member, the ends of said hook being tubular, one end being received in the notched end of said supporting member and the opposite end disposed outside said supporting member, prongs connecting the inner tubular hook end to said supporting member, said prongs serving as stop members for said coil spring in one position thereof, a floating guide rod carried by said hook in yielding spaced relation thereto and extending longitudinally of said supporting member and through other apertures in the disks, a sleeve slidably arranged upon said supporting .member for binding engagement with and disengagement from said guide rod, and a chain connected to said coil spring for expanding same and for anchoring engagement with the notched portion of said supporting member and for disposal about said book.

3. Mechanism for spreading disks having apertures therein comprising a supporting member to extend through apertures in the disks and along -which the disks are movable, said member being notched, a terminally anchored coil spring associated with said member for receiving the disks between its convolutions, a hook at one end of said supporting member, a stop stud connecting saidhook and supporting member, a. floating guide rod carried by said hook in yielding spaced .relation to said supporting member and extending through other apertures in the disks, studs connecting one end of said guide rod to said hook and supporting member, one of said studs having a roughened exterior, a locking screw releasably connecting said guide rod and said roughened st ud, prongs connecting said hook and supporting member and serving as a stop for said coil spring in the extended position thereof, a clip carried by said hook, a sleeve slidable upon said supporting member for binding engagement with and disengagement from said guide rod, and a chain connected to said coil spring for expanding same and for anchor engagement with the notch in said supporting member and for disposal about said hook and anchor engagement with said clip.

4. Mechanism for spreading disks having apertures therein comprising a supporting member to extendth'rough apertures in the disks and along which the disks are movable, disk-engaging and actuating means carried by said supporting member adjustable relative thereto to space said disks apart, said means adapted to be locked in selective position relative to said supporting member, a floating guide rod extending through other apertures in the disks, resilient connection between one end of said guide rod and said supporting member, and a sleeve adjustably carried by said supporting member for cooperation with the other end of said guide rod.

5. Mechanism for spreading disks having apertures therein comprising a supporting member to extend through apertures in the disks and along 

